Enhanced slider zipper multiwall bag and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A multiwall bag having a slider zipper and fin combination and methods of forming same are provided. The multiwall bag, for example, can include a tube body. A combination fin member, zipper track, and zipper block can be connected to an end of the tube body. The other end of the tube body can be filled with product so that the combination fin member, zipper track, and zipper block operate as a constructive bottom during filling. Then, the end of the tube body through which product is filled can be closed and sealed to provide a bag filled with product. The method can include forming a tube body and connecting a combination fin member, zipper track, and zipper block to the bag seal zone.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This continuation-in-part patent application claims the benefitof co-pending non-provisional patent application with the U.S. Ser. No.10/290,681, filed on Nov. 8, 2002, which hereby is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates generally to the packaging industry. Inmore specific aspects, the invention relates to multiwall packaging andmethods for forming multiwall packaging that have zippers associatedwith the package.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] As more and more consumer products are packaged, the need forenhanced consumer end product packaging continues to grow. End productpackaging not only has to keep the products fresh, the product packagingneeds to protect the environment from the product contents and protectthe product contents from the environment. The packaging must also bestrong enough to hold materials of varying weights, without beingdamaged, in order to provide packaging for a vast array of consumerproducts. Of particular importance is the ease of access to thematerials within the packaging. Another important aspect includes tamperresistance to prevent the likelihood of tampering with the contentswithin the bags.

[0006] To increase access to contents within a bag, others havedeveloped many types of bags with many types of closures. Examples ofuser friendly bags can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,035 titled“Zipper Fins For Plastic Bags” by Dobreski et al. and U.S. Pat. No.5,919,535 titled “Fins For Plastic Bags” by Dobreski et al. Theseplastic bags are provided with a zipper or a slider, a zipper track, andone or more fin members. The consumer can initially open the zipperedbag, use a portion of the product, and then easily reclose the bag untilthe product is needed again. This zipper combination is easily operatedand can withstand stronger forces applied thereto than zipperspreviously used on plastic bags. Applicants have recognized that thesezipper combinations described in Dobreski are limited to plastic bags.Although plastic bags can provide adequate packaging for some products,they are simply not durable enough to provide adequate protection formany types of products.

[0007] Tampering with consumer goods has also become a problemthroughout the years. Packaging producers have been developing bettermechanisms to enable consumers to determine if the product within thepackaging may have been subjected to some form of tampering or unwantedopening prior to customer purchase. Examples of bags with a tamperevident feature can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,999 by Catchmantitled “Tamper-Evident Reclosable Bag” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,770 byCatchman titled “Reclosable Bags Having A Tamper-Evident RetainingMember Extending Through A Slider.” These patents describe many types ofdevices that can be installed along the zipper track of zippered bags todetermine if tampering has occurred. Examples include a removablecardboard, paper, or plastic member covering or adjacent to a zipperslider in the closed position and then attached to the bag in some way.If the zipper is moved, the removable member will show signs oftampering. Applicants have recognized that the tamper-evident featuresin the Catchman patents require the use of some additional element thathas to be damaged in order to show signs of tampering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the present inventionadvantageously provides multiwall end product packaging that is fillablefrom the bottom with a slidable zipper assembly. The end productpackaging can include a bag seal zone. In addition to the end productpackaging, the present invention also advantageously provides methods offorming such bags. An embodiment of the present invention alsoadvantageously provides a multiwall bag of tubular form having atamper-evident feature, which is integral with the bag. Furtherembodiments of the present invention advantageously provide userfriendly bags capable of holding products of varying weights, that arestrong and durable, that provide consumers with easy access to theproducts within the bags, and that have a dependable anti-tamperingalert mechanism.

[0009] More particularly, a multiwall bag according to an embodiment ofthe present invention includes an inner tube, an outer tube, a bag sealzone, a fin member, a zipper track, and a zipper block. The inner tubepreferably has at least one layer of a polymeric material. The innertube includes an inner front wall region and an inner back wall regionpositioned to face opposite the inner front wall region. The outer tubepreferably has at least one layer of paper material and is positioned tosubstantially surround outer surfaces of the inner tube. The at leastone layer of paper material can include at least one layer of apolymeric material that is positioned so that the polymeric material isin the outermost position of the outer tube. The outer tube has an openend region, a closed end region, an outer front wall region, and anouter back wall region. The closed end region is typically initially inan open position and is adapted to receive filling materialtherethrough. The closed end region is then sealingly closed to a closedposition. The outer front wall region is positioned between the open endregion and the closed end region. The outer back wall region ispositioned between the open end region and the closed end region and ispositioned to face opposite the outer front wall region.

[0010] The bag seal zone is formed adjacent the open end of the outertube so that the at least one layer of polymeric material of innersurfaces of the inner front wall region of the inner tube abuttinglycontacts and seals to inner surfaces of the inner back wall region ofthe inner tube. The bag seal zone can be formed using heat sealing or byusing an adhesive material. Other ways to form the bag seal zone will beknown to those of ordinary skill in the art and are to be consideredwithin the scope of the present invention.

[0011] The fin member is formed of a plastic material and is connectedto the bag seal zone, if present. If the bag does not have a bag sealzone, then the fin member is attached adjacent the open end of the outertube. The fin member extends substantially the entire lateral extent ofand along the outer front and back wall regions. The fin member includesat least a pair of spaced-apart elongate fin strips positioned to faceopposite each other.

[0012] The zipper track is connected to each of the pair of elongate finstrips of the fin member. The zipper track includes a first track stripand a second track strip. The first and second track strips are adaptedto be positioned between an open position defined by the first andsecond track strips being spaced apart to allow access to inner portionsof the bag and a sealingly closed position defined by the first andsecond track strips abuttingly contacting each other to prevent readyaccess to the inner portions of the bag.

[0013] The zipper block is slidably connected to the zipper track toallow the zipper block to slidably move along the zipper track and movethe first and second track strips between the open position and theclosed position. The fin member, the zipper track, and the zipper blocktogether or in combination define a slider zipper and fin combination.The fin member of the zipper and fin combination can also include a finseal zone associated with and positioned between the pair of fin stripsand positioned adjacent the open end of the outer tube proximal to thezipper track. The fin seal zone can include a score line positionedbetween the fin strips so that initial opening of the zipper trackallows the fin seal zone to be readily separated along the score line.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, themultiwall bag can be altered, for example, by forming a tube body havinga plurality of material layers or with the inner tube and outer tube asdescribed above. The tube body has at least one inner layer of polymericmaterial and at least one outer layer of paper material positioned tosubstantially surround outer surfaces of the inner layer of polymericmaterial. The tube body has a pair of opposing tube ends. An outer frontwall region is positioned between the pair of opposing tube ends. Anouter back wall region is positioned to face opposite the outer frontwall region and between the pair of opposing tube ends.

[0015] The multiwall bag described herein can also include an outerlayer of polymeric material positioned to substantially surround atleast one inner layer of polymeric material and a layer of papermaterial. For example, the multiwall bag can have a three-plyconstruction with an inner layer of polymeric material, a middle layerof paper material, and an outer layer of polymeric material.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, themultiwall bag can include a plurality of gussets that are formed betweenthe outer front wall region and the outer back wall region of themultiwall bag. At least a first one of the plurality of gussets areformed in a first region between the outer front and back wall regionsto define a first outer side wall region. At least a second one of theplurality of gussets is formed in a second region between the outerfront and back wall regions to define a second outer side wall region.The second outer side wall region is advantageously positioned oppositethe first outer side wall region. The multiwall bag further includes anadhesive material positioned adjacent the plurality of gussets tothereby define a plurality of sealed gussets. The sealed gussetsadvantageously increase drop and abuse resistance of the bag, reduce therisk of access to contents of a bag by a pest, and reduce sifting offilling material when positioned in the bag. To further secure theplurality of sealed gussets, the multiwall bag can also include anexternal reinforcement that is positioned to overlie each of theplurality of sealed gussets. The external reinforcement preferablyextends past each of the sealed gussets to cover regions of the frontand back wall regions adjacent to each of the sealed gussets. Theexternal reinforcement enhances the strength and stiffness of each ofthe sealed gussets and further reduces the risk of access to contents ofthe bag by a pest.

[0017] The external reinforcement can include various types ofreinforcements. For example, tape, ribbons, labels, clips, brads, orbands could be used. Other suitable types of external reinforcementmeans will be known to those of skill in the art and are to beconsidered within the scope of the present invention.

[0018] In addition to the multiwall bottom fillable bags, the presentinvention also advantageously provides methods of forming a multiwallbag having a zipper associated therewith. A method of forming themultiwall bag includes laminating a plurality of layers of material.Complete, continuous, or a combination of complete and continuouslamination is preferred in the bag seal zone, as understood by those ofskill in the art. The plurality of layers preferably includes at leastone layer of polymeric material and at least one layer of papermaterial. Once the layers of material are laminated, the layers areformed into a tube body. At least one layer of the polymeric materialdefines an inner surface of the tube body and the at least one layer ofpaper material defines an outer surface of the tube body. The tube bodyhas a front wall and a back wall positioned to face opposite the frontwall. An end portion of the inner surface of the front wall is sealed toan opposite facing end portion of the inner surface of the back wall tothereby define a bag seal zone. A combination of a fin member, a zippertrack connected to the fin member, and a zipper block connected to thezipper track are connected to or attached to the bag seal zone of bag.

[0019] The method of forming the multiwall bag, for example, can bealtered by supplying layers of materials that are already laminatedaccording to the present invention. If the materials are alreadylaminated, then the tube body can be formed without having to laminatethe materials.

[0020] It is envisioned that the bottom fillable multiwall packaging endproducts of the present invention can be used for any type of productthat requires easy access to the contents within and the strength of amultiwall bag. Such product uses include bags for various food items,pet food, charcoal, building materials, seed, lawn and garden supplies,and other uses as will be known to one skilled in the art and are to beconsidered within the scope of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theinvention, as well as others which will become apparent, may beunderstood in more detail, more particular description of the inventionbriefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodimentsthereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which form apart of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that thedrawings illustrate only various embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope as itmay include other effective embodiments as well.

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiwall bag with a bag sealzone and a slider zipper and fin combination according to an embodimentof the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a multiwallbag taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tube body having a plurality ofgussets formed therein according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of heat being applied toa tube body to form a bag seal zone of a multiwall bag according to anembodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a tube body with a bagseal zone being connected to a slider zipper and fin combinationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective fragmentary view of a sliderzipper and fin combination connected to the bag seal zone of a multiwallbag according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a slider zipper and fincombination connected to the bag seal zone of a multiwall bag takenalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0029]FIG. 8 is perspective view of a multiwall bag being bottom filledwith a filling material according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a multiwall bag having sliderzipper and fin combination filled with a product and having a closed endregion in closed position according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0031]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a multiwall baghaving a zipper block opened and prior to breaking a seal within the bagseal zone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a multiwall bag beingopened along a score line and the seal being opened within the bag sealzone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a multiwall baghaving a zipper block and a bag seal zone in an open position accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a multiwall baghaving a zipper block in a closed position and a bag seal zone remainingin an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a multiwall bag with a bag sealzone using an adhesive material as the inner layers of the bag seal zoneand a slider zipper and fin combination according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0036]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tube body having a plurality ofgussets with an inner ply removed formed therein according to anembodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a tube body having a plurality ofgussets and having a bag seal zone formed therein using an adhesivematerial according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a tube body having a sliderzipper and fin combination applied thereto according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0039]FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective fragmentary view of a sliderzipper and fin combination adhesively connected to a multiwall bagaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view of a slider zipper and fincombination adhesively connected to the bag seal zone of a multiwall bagtaken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0041]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of two substrates with an adhesivelayer being positioned between the two substrates so that completelamination occurs in the bag seal zone when forming a tube body inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 21 is a sectional view of two substrates having an adhesivelayer positioned between the two substrates taken along line 21-21 ofFIG. 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0043]FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of a method of producing a multiwall bagaccording to an embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Theprime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternativeembodiments.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-21, an embodiment of the presentinvention advantageously provides a multiwall bag 20 of tubular form.The multiwall bag 20 includes an inner tube 37, an outer tube 35, a bagseal zone 21, a fin member 22, a zipper track 24, a zipper block 34, aplurality of gussets 25, and an external reinforcement 53 for theplurality of gussets 25, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 8, 9, 14, and 18. Theinner tube 37 preferably has at least one layer of a polymeric material41. The inner tube 37 includes an inner front wall region 38 and aninner back wall region 39 positioned to face opposite the inner frontwall region 38 (see FIG. 3). The outer tube 35 preferably has at leastone layer of paper material 46. The outer tube 35 is positioned tosubstantially surround outer surfaces of the inner tube 37. The outertube 35 has an open end region 31, a closed end region 32, an outerfront wall region 33, and an outer back wall region 34. The closed endregion 32 is typically initially in an open position and is adapted toreceive filling material F therethrough. The closed end region 32 isthen sealingly closed to a closed position (see FIG. 9). The outer frontwall region 33 is positioned between the open end region 31 and theclosed end region 32 such as illustrated (see FIGS. 1-3). The outer backwall region 34 also is positioned between the open end region 31 and theclosed end region 32 and is positioned to face opposite the outer frontwall region 33.

[0046] External reinforcement 53 can include various types ofreinforcements. For example, tape, ribbons, labels, clips, brads, orbands could be used. Other suitable types of external reinforcementmeans will be known to those of skill in the art and are to beconsidered within the scope of the present invention.

[0047] The bag seal zone 21 is formed adjacent the open end 31 of theouter tube 35 (see FIGS. 1 and 3-4) so that the at least one layer ofpolymeric material 41 of inner surfaces of the inner front wall region38 of the inner tube 37 abuttingly contacts and seals to inner surfacesof the inner back wall region 39 of the inner tube 37.

[0048] The plurality of gussets 25 is preferably formed between theouter front wall region and the outer back wall region of the multiwallbag 20. At least a first one of the plurality of gussets 25 is formed ina first region between the outer front and back wall regions so as todefine a first outer side wall region. At least a second one of theplurality of gussets 25 is formed in a second region between the outerfront and back wall regions so as to define a second outer side wallregion. The second side wall region is positioned opposite the firstouter side wall region. The multiwall bag 20 further includes anadhesive material positioned adjacent the plurality of gussets 25 tothereby define a plurality of sealed gussets 25. The plurality of sealedgussets 25 increase drop and abuse resistance of the bag 20, reduce therisk of access to contents of a bag 20 by a pest, and reduce sifting offilling material when positioned in the bag 20.

[0049] An external reinforcement 53 is advantageously positioned tooverlie each of the plurality of sealed gussets 25. The externalreinforcement 53 extends past each of the sealed gussets 25 to coverregions of the front and back wall regions adjacent to each of thesealed gussets 25. The external reinforcement 53 thereby enhances thestrength and stiffness of each of the sealed gussets 25 and furtherreduces the risk of access to contents of the bag 20 by a pest.

[0050] The multiwall bag 20 can include a handle 55 that is attached tothe external reinforcement 53, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 8, 9, 14, and 18.The handle 55 enables consumers to better handle the multiwall bag 20.The handle 55 can be used to pour the contents contained within themultiwall bag 20 out of the bag 20 or to transport the multiwall bag 20to another location.

[0051] The fin member 22 is preferably formed of a plastic material thatcan be connected to or attached to the bag 20 using a heat seal, such asshown in FIG. 4. Use of heat to adhere the fin member 22 to the bag 20can be used when the outermost ply of the bag 20 is a polymericmaterial. The heat enables the polymers contained with the plasticmaterial of the fin member 22 and the polymeric material to form anadhesive bond between the two materials that enables the fin member 22to become adhered to the bag 20.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fin member 22 is formed of aplastic material and is connected to or attached to the bag seal zone21. This connection or attachment, for example, can be on the outersurface of the outer tube 35 such as by use of an adhesive material asillustrated or by attachment to one of the inner layer 41 of the innertube 37 or to any layers 42, 47, 48 therebetween (see FIGS. 2, 5 and 7).The fin member 22 extends substantially the entire lateral extent of andalong the outer front and back wall regions 33, 34. The fin member 22can include at least a pair of spaced-apart elongate fin strips 28, 29positioned to face opposite each other.

[0053] The zipper track 24 is connected to each of the pair of elongatefin strips 28, 29 of the fin member 22. The zipper track 24 includes afirst track strip 26 and a second track strip 27. The first and secondtrack strips 26, 27 are adapted to be positioned between an openposition defined by the first and second track strips 26, 27 beingspaced apart to allow access to inner portions of the bag 20 and asealingly closed position defined by the first and second track strips26, 27 abuttingly contacting each other to prevent ready access to theinner portions of the bag 20 (see FIGS. 10-13). The zipper block 34 isslidably connected to the zipper track 24 to allow the zipper block 34to slidably move along the zipper track 24 and move the first and secondtrack strips 26, 27 between the open position and the closed position.The fin member 22, the zipper track 24, and the zipper block 34 togetherand in combination define a slider zipper and fin combination.

[0054] According to another embodiment, construction for the multiwallbag 20 can be altered, for example, by forming a tube body 40 from aplurality of layers of material or by having the inner tube 37 and outertube 35 as described above as understood by those skilled in the art.The tube body 40 has at least one inner layer 41 of polymeric materialand at least one outer layer 46 of paper material positioned tosubstantially surround outer surfaces of the inner layer 41 of polymericmaterial. The tube body 40 has a pair of opposing tube ends 31, 32. Anouter front wall region 33 is positioned between the pair of opposingtube ends. An outer back wall region 34 is positioned to face oppositethe outer front wall region 33 and between the pair of opposing tubeends 31, 32.

[0055] The at least one layer 46 of paper material of the outer tube 35can include a polymeric material layer that is positioned so that whenthe multiwall bag 20 is constructed, the polymeric material layer is themost external, or outermost, layer.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the multiwall bag 20 can include a pair ofcorner clips 36 each connected to an opposite end of the zipper track 24and to the fin member 22. The corner clips 36, for example,advantageously help reduce the risk of damage to the zipper block 34 andcan operate as a stop to the zipper block 34 at opposing ends of thezipper track 24.

[0057] The bag seal zone 21 preferably includes a heat seal at leastpositioned between the slider zipper and fin combination and outersurfaces of the outer tube 35 so that inner surfaces of the polymericmaterial of the inner front wall region 38 are heatingly sealed to theinner surfaces of the polymeric material of the inner back wall region39 (see FIGS. 4 and 9-13). When the bag 20 is filled from the closed end(see FIGS. 8-9), the heat seal enhances protection of the slider andzipper combination by operating as a stop region or constructive bottomfor the filling material and thereby enhances filling performance of thebag 20. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the heat sealpreferably allows the inner surfaces of the inner front wall and innerback wall regions 38, 39 to pealingly separate and unseal the innersurfaces of the inner front and back wall regions 38, 39 withoutsignificant or substantial damage to the inner surfaces when initiallyopening the bag 20 through the slider zipper and fin combination (seeFIGS. 10-13).

[0058] The bag seal zone 21 can be formed using an adhesive material tocreate an adhesive seal that is at least positioned between the sliderzipper and fin combination and outer surfaces of the outer tube 35, asshown in FIGS. 18-20. When the bag seal zone 21 is formed using anadhesive material, inner surfaces of the polymeric material of the innerfront wall region 38 are adhesively sealed to the inner surfaces of thepolymeric material of the inner back wall region 39, as shown in FIGS.17 and 20. When the multiwall bag 20 is filled from the closed endregion 32, the adhesive seal enhances protection of the slider andzipper combination by operating as a stop region for the fillingmaterial, which enhances filling performance of the bag 20. The adhesiveseal advantageously allows the inner surfaces of the inner front walland inner back wall regions 38, 39 to pealingly separate and unseal theinner surfaces of the inner front and back wall regions withoutsubstantial damage to the inner surfaces thereof when initially openingthe bag 20 through the slider zipper and fin combination.

[0059] The multiwall bag 20 of an embodiment of the present inventionalso advantageously provides anti-tampering properties to indicatewhether the bag 20 has already been opened. In the embodimentscontaining the bag seal zone 21, once the bag seal zone 21 has beenopened initially as shown in FIGS. 10-13, the bag seal zone 21 furtherremains unsealed even when the zipper block 34 is in the closed positionas shown in FIG. 13. The inability to reseal the bag seal zone 21 asinitially sealed indicates that initial opening has occurred and thattampering with the opening of the bag 20 may have occurred.

[0060] Various materials or chemical compounds can be used as thepolymeric material of the inner layer 41 (or plurality of layers 41, 42)the inner tube 37. Preferably the polymeric material is selected from atleast one of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, ethylenevinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride graftedpolyethylenes and propylenes, polyesters, and PTE. The polymericmaterial preferably enhances the effectiveness of the heat seal and yetreducing risk of damage to the polymeric material. Other suitablepolymeric materials will be known to those skilled in the art and are tobe considered within the scope of the present invention. As understoodby those skilled in the art, the polymeric material is preferably formedby at least one of the following: extrusion, co-extrusion, lamination,and coating processes.

[0061] Oil and grease resistance is an important property for bags 20,particularly when containing various types of food products, includingpet food. Oil and grease resistance protects the contents within the bag20 from the outside, while also protecting the outside from thecontents. In all embodiments of the present invention, the multiwall bag20 can be constructed to provide oil and grease resistance to the bag20. The multiwall bag 20 can be constructed so the inner tube 37 furtherhas a second layer 42 formed of a grease resistant material (see FIG.2). The second layer 42 preferably overlies the first layer 41 asillustrated. The at least one paper layer 46 of the outer tube 35 alsocan be a plurality of paper layers 46, 47, 48. The outer tube 35 furtherincludes at least one grease resistant barrier 48 associated with theplurality of paper layers 46, 47, 48. The second layer 42 of the innertube 37 can be constructed from at least one of the following materials:nylon, rubber, vinyl, and polymeric materials. The grease resistantbarrier 48 of the outer tube 35 can be constructed by using a greaseresistant coating, applying a chemical to at least one of the pluralityof paper layers 46, 47, 48 or providing a separate non-paper materiallayer 48.

[0062] The outer tube 35 can have a plurality of gussets 25 formedbetween the outer front wall region 33 and the outer back wall region34. At least a first one of the plurality of gussets 25 is preferablyformed in a first region between the outer front and back wall regions38, 39 so as to define a first outer side wall region. At least a secondone of the plurality of gussets 25 is preferably formed in a secondregion between the outer front and back wall regions 38, 39 so as todefine a second outer side wall region positioned opposite the firstouter side wall region (see, e.g., FIGS. 3-4). The bag 20 further canhave an adhesive material 49 positioned adjacent the plurality ofgussets 25 so that when the heat seal is formed, the adhesive material49 also is reheated to thereby enhance sealing adjacent the gussets 25,such as when passing through the nip of a heat sealer as shown in FIG.4, and thereby define a plurality of sealed gussets 25 to increase dropand abuse resistance of the bag 20 by strengthening the regions aroundthe gusset and allowing the bag 20 to flex when contents are positionedtherein. This enhanced sealing of the gussets 25 can also advantageouslyreduce the risk of access to contents of a bag 20 by a pest and can alsoreduce sifting of filling material when positioned in the bag 20.

[0063] The fin member 22 of the zipper and fin combination can include afin seal zone associated with and positioned between the pair of finstrips 28, 29 and positioned adjacent the open end 31 of the outer tube35 proximal to the zipper track 24. In all embodiments of the presentinvention, the fin seal zone preferably includes a score line 50 that ispositioned between the fin strips 28, 29, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and11. The score line 50 ensures that an initial opening of the zippertrack 24 allows the fin seal zone to be readily separated in the properlocation to provide access to the filling material and inner contents ofthe bag 20. The score line 50 provides another anti-tampering indicationthat the zipper track 24 has at least been initially opened.

[0064] As another embodiment of the present invention, a multiwall bag20 of tubular form is advantageously provided. In this embodiment, thebag 20 preferably includes an inner tube 37 that has least one layer ofpolymeric material that includes an inner front wall region 38 and aninner back wall region 39 positioned to face opposite the inner frontwall region 38. The bag 20 also includes an outer tube 35 that containsat least one layer of paper material. The outer tube 35 isadvantageously positioned to substantially surround outer surfaces ofthe inner tube 37. The outer tube 35 has an open end region and a closedend region that is initially in an open position. The closed end regionis advantageously adapted to receive filling material therethrough, andthen be sealingly closed to a closed position once filled. The bag 20also includes an outer front wall region that is positioned between theopen end region and the closed end region. The bag 20 includes an outerback wall region that is also positioned between the open end region andthe closed end region and is positioned to face opposite the outer frontwall region.

[0065] The bag 20 includes a fin member 22 that is formed of a plasticmaterial and connected to the outer front and back walls. The fin member22 extends substantially the entire lateral extent of and along theouter front and back wall regions of the bag 20. The fin member 22advantageously includes at least a pair of spaced-apart elongate finstrips positioned to face opposite each other. A zipper track 24 is alsoprovided as a component of the bag 20. The zipper track 24 is connectedto each of the pair of elongate fin strips of the fin member 22. Thezipper track 24 preferably includes a first track strip and a secondtrack strip. The first and second track strips can be adapted to bepositioned between an open position and a sealingly closed position. Theopen position is defined by the first and second track strips beingspaced apart to allow access to inner portions of the bag 20. Thesealingly closed position is defined by the first and second trackstrips abuttingly contacting each other to prevent ready access to theinner portions of the bag 20.

[0066] The multiwall bag 20 also advantageously includes a zipper block34 that is slidably connected to the zipper track 24. The manner inwhich the zipper block 34 and the zipper track 24 are connected allowsthe zipper block 34 to slidably move along the zipper track 24 and movethe first and second track strips between the open position and theclosed position. The fin member 22, the zipper track 24, and the zipperblock 34 advantageously define a slider zipper and fin combination.

[0067] A multiwall bag 20 having reinforced gussets 25 is advantageouslyprovided as another embodiment of the present invention. The multiwallbag 20 preferably includes an inner tube 37, an outer tube 35, a finmember 22, a zipper track 24, a zipper block 34, a plurality of gussets25, and an external gusset reinforcement 53.

[0068] The inner tube 37 preferably has at least one layer of polymericmaterial that includes an inner front wall region 38 and an inner backwall region 39. The inner back wall region 39 positioned to faceopposite the inner front wall region 38.

[0069] The outer tube 35 preferably has at least one layer of papermaterial and is positioned to substantially surround outer surfaces ofthe inner tube 37. The outer tube 35 has an open end region, a closedend region, an outer front wall region, and an outer back wall region.The closed end region is initially in an open position and is adapted toreceive filling material therethrough, and then sealingly close to aclosed position. The outer front wall region is advantageouslypositioned between the open end region and the closed end region. Theouter back wall region is positioned between the open end region and theclosed end region and positioned to face opposite the outer front wallregion.

[0070] The fin member 22 is preferably formed of a plastic material andis connected to the outer front and back walls and extendingsubstantially the entire lateral extent of and along the outer front andback wall regions of the multiwall bag 20. The fin member 22 includes atleast a pair of spaced-apart elongate fin strips positioned to faceopposite each other.

[0071] The zipper track 24 is connected to each of the pair of elongatefin strips of the fin member 22. The zipper track 24 preferably includesa first track strip and a second track strip, which are adaptable to bepositioned between an open position defined by the first and secondtrack strips being spaced apart to allow access to inner portions of thebag 20 and a sealingly closed position defined by the first and secondtrack strips abuttingly contacting each other to prevent ready access tothe inner portions of the bag 20.

[0072] The zipper block 34 is slidably connected to the zipper track 24to allow the zipper block 34 to slidably move along the zipper track 24and move the first and second track strips between the open position andthe closed position. The fin member 22, the zipper track 24, and thezipper block 34 define a slider zipper and fin combination.

[0073] The plurality of gussets 25 is advantageously formed between theouter front wall region and the outer back wall region. At least a firstone of the plurality of gussets 25 is formed in a first region betweenthe outer front and back wall regions so as to define a first outer sidewall region. At least a second one of the plurality of gussets 25 isformed in a second region between the outer front and back wall regionsso as to define a second outer side wall region positioned opposite thefirst outer side wall region. The multiwall bag 20 further includes anadhesive material positioned adjacent the plurality of gussets 25 tothereby define a plurality of sealed gussets 25. The sealed gussets 25increase drop and abuse resistance of the bag 20, reduce the risk ofaccess to contents of a bag 20 by a pest, and reduce sifting of fillingmaterial when positioned in the bag 20.

[0074] The external reinforcement 53 is advantageously positioned tooverlie each of the plurality of sealed gussets 25. The externalreinforcement 53 extends past each of the sealed gussets 25 to coverregions of the front and back wall regions adjacent to each of thesealed gussets 25 to thereby enhance the strength and stiffness of eachof the sealed gussets 25 and further reduce the risk of access tocontents of the bag 20 by a pest.

[0075] Another embodiment of a multiwall bag 20 having reinforcedgussets 25 is also advantageously provided. In this embodiment, themultiwall bag 20 includes an inner tube 37, an outer tube 35, aplurality of gussets 25 that become sealed through the application of anadhesive material, and an external reinforcement 53. As in allembodiments containing the plurality of sealed gussets 25, the sealedgussets 25 increase the drop and abuse resistance of the bag 20, reducethe risk of access to contents of a bag 20 by a pest, and reduceshifting of filling material when the material is positioned in themultiwall bag 20.

[0076] In all embodiments of the present invention, the plurality ofgussets 25 can be formed so that there is at least one less one ply ofmaterial 57 in at least the first and second outer side walls than inthe outer and inner front wall regions, 33, 34, as shown in FIG. 16. Itis advantageous to remove at least one ply of material 57 when formingthe sealed gussets 25, as described herein, so that the adhesive 49 usedto form the gussets 25 can be melted sufficiently. Additional plies orlayers can be removed, if necessary to sufficiently melt the adhesive49. Inner or middle plies are preferably removed, when plies arerequired to be removed. When the bag 20 is formed with the plurality ofgussets 25, the gussets 25 increase the number of plies that the heathas to pass through. For example, with a three ply bag, when gussets 25are formed, the three plies become twelve plies within the cross-sectionof the gusset. Removable of one ply would reduce the number of totalplies in the cross-section of the gusset to eight plies, instead oftwelve.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 1-21, in addition to the multiwall bottomfillable bags 20, the present invention also advantageously provides amethod of forming a multiwall bag 20 having a zipper associatedtherewith. The method 60 of forming the multiwall bag 20 includeslaminating a plurality of layers 41, 42, 46, 47, 48 of material (block61) (see FIGS. 3-4 and 14). Complete lamination can be used in the bagseal zone, as shown in FIG. 21, and as understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art. Continuous lamination or the combination of completeand continuous lamination can also be used in the bag seal zone. Theplurality of layers 41, 42, 46, 47, 48 preferably includes at least onelayer 41 of polymeric material and at least one layer 46 of papermaterial. Once the layers 41, 42, 46, 47, 48 of material are laminated,the layers 41, 42, 46, 47, 48 are formed into a tube body 40 (block 62).The at least one layer 41 of the polymeric material defines an innersurface of the tube body 40 and the at least one layer 46 of papermaterial defines an outer surface of the tube body 40. The tube body 40has a front wall and a back wall positioned to face opposite the frontwall. An end portion of the inner surface of the front wall is sealed toan opposite facing end portion of the inner surface of the back wall tothereby define a bag seal zone 21 (block 63). A combination of a finmember 22, a zipper track 24 connected to the fin member 22, and azipper block 34 connected to the zipper track 24 is connected to the bagseal zone 21 (block 64). The finished or end product packaging can thenbe sent to a customer for bottom filling and bottom sealing (block 65)or such filling and sealing of the bag 20 can be performed on site ifdesired.

[0078] The method of forming the multiwall bag 20, for example, can bealtered by supplying layers of materials that are already laminated. Ifthe materials are already laminated, then the tube body 40 can be formedwithout having to laminate the materials.

[0079] In addition to the steps described, the method of forming caninclude applying an adhesive material 49 in regions of the tube body 40between peripheral side edges of the front and back walls to form aplurality of gussets 25 in the tube body 40 extending between the frontwall and the back wall to thereby define a pair of gusseted side walls.Heat can then be applied to at least one of the respective end portions31, 32 of the front and back walls of the tube body 40 and positioningthe inner surfaces of the respective end portions of the front and backwalls to abuttingly contact each other so that the inner surfaces of thefront and back walls adhere to each other and form a seal therebetween.The adhesive material 49 on outer surfaces of end portions of the pairof gusseted side walls is reactivated when heat is applied to at leastone of the respective end portions of the front and back walls andholding the gusseted side walls to also form a seal in the gusseted sidewalls so that the sealed gusseted side walls can further define aportion of the bag seal zone 21 if desired. For example, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, the adhesive material can beapplied to an outer surface of the tube body 40 and allowed to dry. Theadhesive material can be reactivated during application of a heat sealsuch as in a bottomer or bottom forming machine as understood by thoseskilled in the art. End portions of the gussets 25 can then be sealed byuse of the reactivated adhesive as the gussets 25 pass through a nip ornip region of a machine, which applies contact pressure on the endportions of the gussets 25.

[0080] The sealed end portion of the tube body 40 preferably includes afirst end portion and a second end portion. The tube body 40 ispreferably filled with a filling material F through the second endportion when the first end portion is sealed so that the bag seal zone21 operates as a stop to flow of filling material into the tube body 40or as a constructive bottom (see FIG. 8). This, for example, canadvantageously prevent contact of the filling material F within the tubebody 40 with the zipper track 24 and zipper block 34. The second endportion is then closed after the tube body 40 is filled with a desiredquantity of filling material F (see FIG. 9).

[0081] Embodiments of the present invention also provide an additionalmethods of using or additional steps to the forming methods describedherein. The zipper block 34, for example, can be positioned in an openposition. The zipper track 24 is then separated to provide access toinner portions of the tube body 40. Also, separation of a fin seal zonecan be performed by separating the fin strips 28, 29 along a score line50 such as formed with a laser or other device as understood by thoseskilled in the art. The inner surface of the front wall is thenpealingly separated from the inner surface of the back wall in the bagseal zone 21 without causing any damage to the inner surfaces in the bagseal zone 21 (see FIGS. 10-13). This also provides direct access to thecontents of the tube body 40.

[0082] For example, a method of using a bag 20 can advantageouslyinclude filling a bag 20 with product through a first end of the bag 20and stopping the product from reaching a second end of the bag 20 by abag seal zone 21 positioned adjacent the second end. The second end hasat least a combination of a zipper track 24 and a zipper block 34positioned on the zipper track 24, and more preferably a fin member 22connected to the zipper track 24 as well, connected to the second end sothat the bag seal zone 21 operates as a constructive bottom to therebyenhance protection of the combination of the zipper track 24 and thezipper block 34 during filling.

[0083] A method of using a bag 20 can also include moving a zipper block34 positioned on a zipper track 24 to a zipper block 34 open position.The zipper track 24 is connected to a fin member 22, and the fin member22 is connected to a sealed end of a bag 20 defining a bag seal zone 21.The fin member 22 has a fin seal zone positioned between the zippertrack 24 and the bag seal zone 21. The method can further includeseparating the zipper track 24 to a zipper track 24 open position,separating the fin seal zone along a score line formed therein toprovide access to the bag seal zone 21, and separating the bag seal zone21 to thereby provide access to contents of the bag 20.

[0084] The combination of the fin member 22, the zipper track 24, andthe zipper block 34 can be connected to the bag seal zone 21 by severalmethods. If the outer surfaces of the tube body 40 contain a polymericmaterial, then the combination of the fin member 22, the zipper track24, and the zipper block 34 can be connected by forming a heat sealbetween the fin member 22 and the outer surfaces of the tube body 40.Other methods of connecting the combination of the fin member 22, thezipper track 24, and the zipper block 34 can include at least one of thefollowing: applying an adhesive material between inner surfaces of thefin member 22 and outer surfaces of the tube body 40 in the bag sealzone 21, adhering the fin member 22 to the tube body 40 between the atleast one polymeric layer 41 and the at least one paper layer 46, andadhering the fin member 22 to inner surfaces of the tube body 40. Othermethods for connected the combination to the bag seal zone 21 will beknown of ordinary skill in the art and are to be considered within thescope of the present invention.

[0085] Several advantages exist with the present invention. As a firstadvantage of the present invention, the bag seal zone 21 of themultiwall bag 20 provides users with an indicator to determine if thebag 20 has already been open. This indication alerts consumers ofpossible tampering of with the bag 20. The bag seal zone 21 alsoprotects the zipper combination that is used to seal the multiwall bag20.

[0086] As another advantage of the present invention, the multiwall bag20 is constructed in such a manner to prevent insects from being able toaccess the contents within the bag 20. The bag seal zone 21 and theadhesively secured gussets 25 provide additional protection so thatinsects will not be able to gain access to the interior of the bag 20.

[0087] From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention is welladapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth,together with other advantages that are obvious and that are inherent tothe method and product. It will be understood that certain features andsub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference toother features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and iswithin the scope of the claims.

[0088] Because many possible embodiments may be made of the inventionwithout departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood thatall matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying specificationis to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention issusceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of theinvention.

[0089] For example, various types of substrates with or without coatingscan be used to form the tube body of the multiplayer bag. Suitablesubstrates and coatings will be known to one skilled in the art. The useof the bottom fillable multiplayer bag with zipper combination can beused for many types of consumer end products, such as candy wrappers,food items, or any type of packaging that needs a strong bag with easyaccess to the contents of the bags.

That claimed is:
 1. A multiwall bag of tubular form comprising: an innertube having at least one layer of polymeric material including an innerfront wall region and an inner back wall region positioned to faceopposite the inner front wall region; an outer tube having at least onelayer of paper material and positioned to substantially surround outersurfaces of the inner tube, the outer tube having an open end region, aclosed end region being initially in an open position, adapted toreceive filling material therethrough, and then sealingly closed to aclosed position, an outer front wall region positioned between the openend region and the closed end region, and an outer back wall regionpositioned between the open end region and the closed end region andpositioned to face opposite the outer front wall region; a bag seal zoneformed adjacent the open end of the outer tube so that the at least onelayer of polymeric material of inner surfaces of the inner front wallregion of the inner tube abuttingly contacts and seals to inner surfacesof the inner back wall region of the inner tube; a fin member formed ofa plastic material and connected to the bag seal zone and extendingsubstantially the entire lateral extent of and along the outer front andback wall regions, the fin member including at least a pair ofspaced-apart elongate fin strips positioned to face opposite each other;a zipper track connected to each of the pair of elongate fin strips ofthe fin member, the zipper track including a first track strip and asecond track strip, the first and second track strips being adapted topositioned between an open position defined by the first and secondtrack strips being spaced apart to allow access to inner portions of thebag and a sealingly closed position defined by the first and secondtrack strips abuttingly contacting each other to prevent ready access tothe inner portions of the bag; a zipper block slidably connected to thezipper track to allow the zipper block to slidably move along the zippertrack and move the first and second track strips between the openposition and the closed position, the fin member, the zipper track, andthe zipper block defining a slider zipper and fin combination; aplurality of gussets formed between the outer front wall region and theouter back wall region, at least a first one of the plurality of gussetsbeing formed in a first region between the outer front and back wallregions so as to define a first outer side wall region and at least asecond one of the plurality of gussets being formed in a second regionbetween the outer front and back wall regions so as to define a secondouter side wall region positioned opposite the first outer side wallregion, and wherein the bag further comprises an adhesive materialpositioned adjacent the plurality of gussets to thereby define aplurality of sealed gussets to increase drop and abuse resistance of thebag, to reduce the risk of access to contents of a bag by a pest, and toreduce sifting of filling material when positioned in the bag; and anexternal reinforcement positioned to overlie each of the plurality ofsealed gussets and to extend past each of the sealed gussets to coverregions of the front and back wall regions adjacent to each of thesealed gussets to thereby enhance the strength and stiffness of each ofthe sealed gussets and further reduce the risk of access to contents ofthe bag by a pest.
 2. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 1, whereineach of the plurality of gussets has at least one less one ply ofmaterial in at least the first and second outer side walls than in theouter and inner front wall regions.
 3. A multiwall bag as defined inclaim 1, further comprising a pair of corner clips each connected to anopposite end of the zipper track and to the fin member to reduce therisk of damage to the zipper block, and wherein the combination of theinner tube and outer tube define a tube body of the bag.
 4. A multiwallbag as defined in claim 1, wherein the bag seal zone comprises a heatseal at least positioned between the slider zipper and fin combinationand outer surfaces of the outer tube so that inner surfaces of thepolymeric material of the inner front wall region are heatingly sealedto the inner surfaces of the polymeric material of the inner back wallregion so that when the bag is filled from the closed end, the heat sealenhances protection of the slider and zipper combination by operating asa stop region for the filling material and thereby enhances fillingperformance of the bag.
 5. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 4,wherein the heat seal allows the inner surfaces of the inner front walland inner back wall regions to pealingly separate and unseal the innersurfaces of the inner front and back wall regions without substantialdamage to the inner surfaces thereof when initially opening the bagthrough the slider zipper and fin combination.
 6. A multiwall bag asdefined in claim 4, wherein the bag seal zone further remains unsealedafter initial opening even when the zipper block is in the closedposition to thereby indicate that initial opening has occurred andindicate that tampering with the opening of the bag may have occurred.7. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 4, wherein the polymeric materialcomprises at least one of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene,nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydridegrafted polyethylenes and propylenes, polyesters, and PTE to therebyenhance effectiveness of the heat seal and yet reducing risk of damageto the polymeric material.
 8. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 1,wherein the bag seal zone comprises an adhesive seal at least positionedbetween the slider zipper and fin combination and outer surfaces of theouter tube so that inner surfaces of the polymeric material of the innerfront wall region are adhesively sealed to the inner surfaces of thepolymeric material of the inner back wall region so that when the bag isfilled from the closed end, the adhesive seal enhances protection of theslider and zipper combination by operating as a stop region for thefilling material and thereby enhances filling performance of the bag. 9.A multiwall bag as defined in claim 8, wherein the adhesive seal allowsthe inner surfaces of the inner front wall and inner back wall regionsto pealingly separate and unseal the inner surfaces of the inner frontand back wall regions without substantial damage to the inner surfacesthereof when initially opening the bag through the slider zipper and fincombination.
 10. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the atleast one layer of the inner tube comprises a first layer, and whereinthe inner tube further has a second layer formed of a grease resistantmaterial and overlying the first layer, wherein the at least one paperlayer of the outer tube comprises a plurality of paper layers, andwherein the outer tube further comprises at least one grease resistantbarrier associated with the plurality of paper layers.
 11. A multiwallbag as defined in claim 10, wherein the second layer of the inner tubecomprises at least one of the following materials: nylon, rubber, vinyl,and polymeric material, and wherein the at least one grease resistantbarrier of the outer tube comprises at least one of the following: agrease resistant coating, a chemical applied to at least one of theplurality of paper layers, and a separate non-paper material layer. 12.A multiwall bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the bag further includesa handle attached to the external reinforcement to provide easierhandling of the bag.
 13. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 1, whereinthe fin member of the zipper and fin combination includes a fin sealzone associated with and positioned between the pair of fin strips andpositioned adjacent the open end of the outer tube proximal to thezipper track, the fin seal zone including a score line positionedbetween the fin strips so that initial opening of the zipper trackallows the fin seal zone to be readily separated along the score line.14. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least onelayer of paper material of the outer tube includes a polymeric materiallayer positioned so that when the multiwall bag is constructed, thepolymeric material layer is an outermost layer of the outer tube of themultiwall bag.
 15. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 1, wherein thebag seal zone is formed using a lamination process selected from thegroup consisting of completion lamination, continuous lamination, andcombinations thereof.
 16. A multiwall bag of tubular form comprising: atube body having at least one inner layer of polymeric material and atleast one outer layer of paper material positioned to substantiallysurround outer surfaces of the inner layer of polymeric material, thetube body having a pair of opposing tube ends, an outer front wallregion positioned between the pair of opposing tube ends, an outer backwall region positioned to face opposite the outer front wall region andbetween the pair of opposing tube ends; a bag seal zone formed adjacentone of the pair of tube ends so that an inner surface of the at leastone layer of polymeric material of the front wall of the inner tubeabuttingly contacts and seals to an inner surface of the back wall ofthe tube body; a fin member adhesively connected to the bag seal zoneand extending substantially the entire lateral extent thereof, the finmember including at least a pair of spaced-apart elongate fin stripspositioned to face opposite each other and each positioned to extendalong one of the either the outer front or back wall regions; a zippertrack connected to each of the pair of elongate fin strips of the finmember, the zipper track including a first track strip and a secondtrack strip, the first and second track strips being adapted to bepositioned between an open position defined by the first and secondtrack strips being spaced apart to allow access to inner portions of thebag and a sealingly closed position defined by the first and secondtrack strips abuttingly contacting each other to prevent ready access tothe inner portions of the bag; and a zipper block connected to thezipper track to allow the zipper block to slidably move along the zippertrack and move the first and second track strips between the openposition and the closed position.
 17. A multiwall bag as defined inclaim 16, further comprising a pair of corner clips each connected to anopposite end of the zipper track and to the fin member.
 18. A multiwallbag as defined in claim 16, wherein the bag seal zone comprises a heatseal positioned between the zipper block and outer surfaces of the tubebody so that an inner surface of the polymeric material of the innerfront wall region are heatingly sealed to the inner surface of thepolymeric material of the inner back wall region so that when the bag isfilled from the closed end, the heat seal enhances protection of theslider and zipper combination by operating as a stop region for thefilling material.
 19. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 18, whereinthe heat seal allows the inner surfaces of the inner front wall andinner back wall regions to pealingly separate and unseal the innersurfaces of the inner front and back wall regions without substantialdamage to the inner surfaces thereof when initially opening the bagthrough the zipper track.
 20. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 18,wherein the bag seal zone further remains unsealed after initial openingeven when the zipper block is in the closed position to thereby indicatethat initial opening has occurred and indicate that tampering with theopening of the bag may have occurred.
 21. A multiwall bag as defined inclaim 18, wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one of thefollowing: polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate,ethylene vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride grafted polyethylenes andpropylenes, polyesters, and PTE to thereby enhance effectiveness of theheat seal and yet reducing risk of damage to the polymeric material. 22.A multiwall bag as defined in claim 16, wherein the at least one layerof polymeric material of the tube body comprises a first layer, whereinthe at least one layer of paper material comprises a third layer, andwherein the tube body further comprises a second layer formed of agrease resistant material positioned between the first and third layers.23. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 22, wherein the second layer ofthe tube body comprises at least one of the following materials: nylon,rubber, vinyl, and polymeric, wherein the at least one paper layer ofthe tube body comprises a plurality of paper layers, and wherein thetube body further comprises at least one grease resistant barrierassociated with the plurality of paper layers, and wherein the at leastone grease resistant barrier of the outer tube comprises at least one ofthe following: a grease resistant coating, a chemical applied to atleast one of the plurality of paper layers, and a separate non-papermaterial layer.
 24. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 16, wherein thebag seal zone comprises an adhesive seal positioned between the zipperblock and outer surfaces of the tube body so that an inner surface ofthe polymeric material of the inner front wall region are adhesivelysealed to the inner surface of the polymeric material of the inner backwall region so that when the bag is filled from the closed end, theadhesive seal enhances protection of the slider and zipper combinationby operating as a stop region for the filling material.
 25. A multiwallbag as defined in claim 24, wherein the adhesive seal allows the innersurfaces of the inner front wall and inner back wall regions topealingly separate and unseal the inner surfaces of the inner front andback wall regions without substantial damage to the inner surfacesthereof when initially opening the bag through the zipper track.
 26. Amultiwall bag as defined in claim 16, wherein the at least one outerlayer of paper of the outer tube further includes a polymeric materiallayer positioned so that when the multiwall bag is assembled, thepolymeric material layer is an outermost layer of the outer tube of themultiwall bag.
 27. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 16, wherein thetube body further has a plurality of gussets formed between the outerfront wall region and the outer back wall region, at least a first oneof the plurality of gussets being formed in a first region between theouter front and back wall regions so as to define a first outer sidewall region and at least a second one of the plurality of gussets beingformed in a second region between the outer front and back wall regionsso as to define a second outer side wall region positioned opposite thefirst outer side wall region, and wherein the bag further comprises anadhesive material positioned adjacent the plurality of gussets so thatwhen the heat seal is formed the adhesive material also is heated tothereby enhance sealing adjacent the gussets and thereby define aplurality of sealed gussets.
 28. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 27,wherein each of the plurality of gussets has at least one less one plyof material in at least the first and second outer side walls than inthe outer and inner front wall regions.
 29. A multiwall bag as definedin claim 16, wherein the bag further includes an external reinforcementpositioned to overlie the sealed gussets and to extend past the sealedgussets to cover regions of the front and back wall regions adjacent tothe sealed gussets to thereby enhance the strength and stiffness of thesealed gussets and further reducing the risk of access to contents ofthe bag by a pest.
 30. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 29, whereinthe bag further includes a handle attached to the external reinforcementto provide easier handling of the bag.
 31. A multiwall bag as defined inclaim 16, wherein the fin member includes a fin seal zone associatedwith and positioned between the pair of fin strips and positionedproximal to the zipper track, the fin seal zone including a score linepositioned between the fin strips so that initial opening of the zippertrack allows the fin seal zone to be readily separated along the scoreline.
 32. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 16, wherein the bag sealzone is formed using a lamination process selected from the groupconsisting of completion lamination, continuous lamination, andcombinations thereof.
 33. A multiwall bag of tubular form comprising: aninner tube having at least one layer of polymeric material including aninner front wall region and an inner back wall region positioned to faceopposite the inner front wall region; an outer tube having at least onelayer of paper material and positioned to substantially surround outersurfaces of the inner tube, the outer tube having an open end region, aclosed end region being initially in an open position, adapted toreceive filling material therethrough, and then sealingly closed to aclosed position, an outer front wall region positioned between the openend region and the closed end region, and an outer back wall regionpositioned between the open end region and the closed end region andpositioned to face opposite the outer front wall region; a fin memberformed of a plastic material and connected to the outer front and backwalls and extending substantially the entire lateral extent of and alongthe outer front and back wall regions, the fin member including at leasta pair of spaced-apart elongate fin strips positioned to face oppositeeach other; a zipper track connected to each of the pair of elongate finstrips of the fin member, the zipper track including a first track stripand a second track strip, the first and second track strips beingadapted to be positioned between an open position defined by the firstand second track strips being spaced apart to allow access to innerportions of the bag and a sealingly closed position defined by the firstand second track strips abuttingly contacting each other to preventready access to the inner portions of the bag; and a zipper blockslidably connected to the zipper track to allow the zipper block toslidably move along the zipper track and move the first and second trackstrips between the open position and the closed position, the finmember, the zipper track, and the zipper block defining a slider zipperand fin combination.
 34. A multiwall bag of claim 33, wherein the finmember is adhesively connected to the outer front and back walls andfurther including a layer of adhesive positioned between the outer frontand back walls and the fin member so that the adhesive abuttinglycontacts the outer front and back walls, the adhesive securelyconnecting the fin member top the outer front and back walls.
 35. Amultiwall bag as defined in claim 33, further comprising a pair ofcorner clips each connected to an opposite end of the zipper track andto the fin member to reduce the risk of damage to the zipper block, andwherein the combination of the inner tube and outer tube define a tubebody of the bag.
 36. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 33, wherein thepolymeric material comprises at least one of the following:polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylenevinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride grafted polyethylenes and propylenes,polyesters, and PTE to thereby enhance effectiveness of the heat sealand yet reducing risk of damage to the polymeric material.
 37. Amultiwall bag as defined in claim 33, wherein the outer tube further hasa plurality of gussets formed between the outer front wall region andthe outer back wall region, at least a first one of the plurality ofgussets being formed in a first region between the outer front and backwall regions so as to define a first outer side wall region and at leasta second one of the plurality of gussets being formed in a second regionbetween the outer front and back wall regions so as to define a secondouter side wall region positioned opposite the first outer side wallregion, and wherein the bag further comprises an adhesive materialpositioned adjacent the plurality of gussets to thereby define aplurality of sealed gussets to increase drop and abuse resistance of thebag, to reduce the risk of access to contents of a bag by a pest, and toreduce sifting of filling material when positioned in the bag.
 38. Amultiwall bag as defined in claim 37, wherein each of the plurality ofgussets has at least one less one ply of material in at least the firstand second outer side walls than in the outer and inner front wallregions.
 39. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 37, wherein the bagfurther includes an external reinforcement positioned to overlie thesealed gussets and to extend past the sealed gussets to cover regions ofthe front and back wall regions adjacent to the sealed gussets tothereby enhance the strength and stiffness of the sealed gussets andfurther reducing the risk of access to contents of the bag by a pest.40. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 39, wherein the bag furtherincludes a handle attached to the external reinforcement to provideeasier handling of the bag.
 41. A multiwall bag of tubular formcomprising: an inner tube having at least one layer of polymericmaterial including an inner front wall region and an inner back wallregion positioned to face opposite the inner front wall region; an outertube having at least one layer of paper material and positioned tosubstantially surround outer surfaces of the inner tube, the outer tubehaving an open end region, a closed end region being initially in anopen position, adapted to receive filling material therethrough, andthen sealingly closed to a closed position, an outer front wall regionpositioned between the open end region and the closed end region, and anouter back wall region positioned between the open end region and theclosed end region and positioned to face opposite the outer front wallregion; a fin member formed of a plastic material and connected to theouter front and back walls and extending substantially the entirelateral extent of and along the outer front and back wall regions, thefin member including at least a pair of spaced-apart elongate fin stripspositioned to face opposite each other; a zipper track connected to eachof the pair of elongate fin strips of the fin member, the zipper trackincluding a first track strip and a second track strip, the first andsecond track strips being adapted to be positioned between an openposition defined by the first and second track strips being spaced apartto allow access to inner portions of the bag and a sealingly closedposition defined by the first and second track strips abuttinglycontacting each other to prevent ready access to the inner portions ofthe bag; a zipper block slidably connected to the zipper track to allowthe zipper block to slidably move along the zipper track and move thefirst and second track strips between the open position and the closedposition, the fin member, the zipper track, and the zipper blockdefining a slider zipper and fin combination; a plurality of gussetsformed between the outer front wall region and the outer back wallregion, at least a first one of the plurality of gussets being formed ina first region between the outer front and back wall regions so as todefine a first outer side wall region and at least a second one of theplurality of gussets being formed in a second region between the outerfront and back wall regions so as to define a second outer side wallregion positioned opposite the first outer side wall region, and whereinthe bag further comprises an adhesive material positioned adjacent theplurality of gussets to thereby define a plurality of sealed gussets toincrease drop and abuse resistance of the bag, to reduce the risk ofaccess to contents of a bag by a pest, and to reduce sifting of fillingmaterial when positioned in the bag; and an external reinforcementpositioned to overlie each of the plurality of sealed gussets and toextend past each of the sealed gussets to cover regions of the front andback wall regions adjacent to each of the sealed gussets to therebyenhance the strength and stiffness of each of the sealed gussets andfurther reduce the risk of access to contents of the bag by a pest. 42.A multiwall bag of claim 41, wherein the at least one layer of papermaterial of the outer tube comprises at least one layer of a polymericmaterial.
 43. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 41, wherein the bagfurther includes a handle attached to the external reinforcement toprovide easier handling of the bag.
 44. A multiwall bag as defined inclaim 41, wherein each of the plurality of gussets has at least one lessone ply of material in at least the first and second outer side wallsthan in the outer and inner front wall regions.
 45. A multiwall bag asdefined in claim 41, further comprising a pair of corner clips eachconnected to an opposite end of the zipper track and to the fin member.46. A multiwall bag of tubular form comprising: an inner tube having atleast one layer of polymeric material including an inner front wallregion and an inner back wall region positioned to face opposite theinner front wall region; an outer tube having at least one layer ofpaper material and positioned to substantially surround outer surfacesof the inner tube, the outer tube having an open end region, a closedend region being initially in an open position, adapted to receivefilling material therethrough, and then sealingly closed to a closedposition, an outer front wall region positioned between the open endregion and the closed end region, and an outer back wall regionpositioned between the open end region and the closed end region andpositioned to face opposite the outer front wall region; a plurality ofgussets formed between the outer front wall region and the outer backwall region, at least a first one of the plurality of gussets beingformed in a first region between the outer front and back wall regionsso as to define a first outer side wall region and at least a second oneof the plurality of gussets being formed in a second region between theouter front and back wall regions so as to define a second outer sidewall region positioned opposite the first outer side wall region, andwherein the bag further comprises an adhesive material positionedadjacent the plurality of gussets to thereby define a plurality ofsealed gussets to increase drop and abuse resistance of the bag, toreduce the risk of access to contents of a bag by a pest, and to reducesifting of filling material when positioned in the bag; and an externalreinforcement positioned to overlie each of the plurality of sealedgussets and to extend past each of the sealed gussets to cover regionsof the front and back wall regions adjacent to each of the sealedgussets to thereby enhance the strength and stiffness of each of thesealed gussets and further reduce the risk of access to contents of thebag by a pest.
 47. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 46, wherein thebag further includes a handle attached to the external reinforcement toprovide easier handling of the bag.
 48. A multiwall bag of claim 46,wherein the at least one layer of paper material of the outer tubecomprises at least one layer of a polymeric material.
 49. A multiwallbag as defined in claim 46, further comprising a pair of corner clipseach connected to an opposite end of the zipper track and to the finmember.
 50. A multiwall bag as defined in claim 46, wherein each of theplurality of gussets has at least one less one ply of material in atleast the first and second outer side walls than in the outer and innerfront wall regions.